Muscat wants new deputy leader ‘to bridge with the most critical voices’

The new deputy leader of the Labour Party must be a bridge with the “most critical voices” of the Labour party and government.

Reminiscing on his election as leader of the Labour Party eight years ago, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat also warned the contenders and the party delegates that any “small walls” that have gone up over the past couple of months must be brought down immediately.

“Our strength is in our unity … eight years ago I was elected leader of a party that came armed with a siege mentality. We worked to bring down those walls and reach out to the people. I can feel that, during the past two months, the threat of building walls returned. And even if it’s a small wall, we will bring out down with a bulldozer,” Muscat said.

Turning to the contenders – Justice Minister Owen Bonnici, Economy Minister Chris Cardona and former PL president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi – Muscat warned them that they will have to strive to bridge with the most critical voices of Labour.

Muscat welcomed back deputy prime minister Louis Grech who, over the past few weeks was indisposed due to private matters.

“I consider Louis to be my ideal partner and we balance each other out,” he said, as he turned to the candidates, speaking of how the deputy leader for party affairs would be an integral party to help the party move forward.

The Labour leader said that being self-critical was important and building up barriers would not get the party anywhere. Admitting that the Panama Papers revelations had taken their toll, Muscat expressed confidence in that the Labour party “wasn’t drowning”.

Turning to the individual candidates, Muscat spoke of how each candidate had succeeded in his own department: Chris Cardona was working on projects sustaining the economy; Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi had helped with the modernization of the party structures; Owen Bonnici had delivered strongly on increased responsibilities and always took on new projects seriously.

Muscat, as he spoke of the social issues flagged by the Caritas report on a minimum budget for decent living, said it was their role to keep on focusing on the issues hitting people hard.

“It is the changes that might seem small that make the most difference: reducing the prices of school uniforms has helped people who were struggling with making ends meet and it has featured in the Caritas report. Yes, we have to look and the prices of food that are high and to recognize that rent prices are becoming unaffordable for certain groups.”

As the environment controversy has now shifted to proposed high-rise buildings, Muscat appeared to take umbrage at media reports on development proposals.

“We are being judged on the applications put forward and not the decisions we take. How can we stop anyone from applying? People should judge us on the final decision we take. Look at the criticism we receive from newspapers … it’s usually not about the decisions we take but because someone is asking for something,” he claimed.

Attention has now shifted on high-rise buildings, where investors have come forward with six proposals for towers in the St Julain's and Paceville area.

Muscat said any development applications are considered according to the Planning Authority's developments plans.

Independent MP Marlene Farrugia has tabled a parliamentary motion seeking a moratorium on large-scale projects and high-rise buildings until a master plan is drawn up. Muscat has however shot down the idea, arguing that development cannot be stopped.

PN says Muscat's only link is with Schembri and Mizzi, calls for end of corruption

In a reaction to Muscat's speech, the Nationalist Party said that Muscat had no hope of bridging the gaps with his harshest critics, unless he dismissed minister Konrad Mizzi and chief of staff Keith Schembri from their positions in light of the Panama Papers leak revelations.

"Those who discuss the corruption in this government, including both the opposition and independent media are being attacked by the governmen," the statement reads. The PN also adds that Muscat is cut off from the reality of Maltese society and that he is ignoring the biggest challenges the country is facing.